Modular photo kiosk system

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a modular photo kiosk system that produces prints that include printed templates, guides, and instructions for use with matching designated user provided photo. The systems are configurable so that they can be easily combined to adapt the kiosk system to meet the productivity, capacity, product range, inventory control, and physical conditions of a selected retail environment. The kiosk can include remote access for customers and kiosk owners to place remote orders and manage kiosk inventory and further include a secured product display area featuring photo products for sale. A further aspect of the technology described herein comprises a software application for use by clerks for monitoring, maintaining, and operating the photo kiosk system.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a retail photo kiosk system comprising:
 providing a retail photo kiosk with a processor, a communication device, one or more printers, a photo merchandise display unit, a payment mechanism, and user interface for producing photo products incorporating user provided images;   using the processor to provide a plurality of user selectable digital templates that correspond to a plurality of photo merchandise items;   using the user interface to select at least one photo merchandise item;   using the user interface to provide one or more user images to the processor via the communication device;   the processor selects one or more digital templates corresponding to the selected photo merchandise item;   the user selects one or more digital templates for combination with the one or more user provided images;   the processor combines the one or more digital templates and the one or more user provided images and sends the combined one or more digital templates and images to the printer;   the printer produces at least one print of the combined template and image;   the user interface instructs the user to retrieve the combined template and image print and the corresponding photo merchandise item from the kiosk;   the processor calculates the total fee for the retrieved items;   and the user interface instructs the user to pay the calculated fee via the payment mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device provides a wired connection, wireless cellular connection, or WIFI modem and the user interface is accessible via a touch screen display associated with the photo kiosk and/or the user's personal phone, tablet, and/or computer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 accessing the photo kiosk locally within the retail venue and/or remotely. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one print is produced once the calculated fee is received via the payment mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the as least one photo merchandise item is presented on interchangeable hooks, transparent shelves, or bins in the display unit of the photo kiosk. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the as least one photo merchandise item is visible in the display unit but inaccessible until the calculated fee has been received via the payment mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the processor maintains an inventory of photo merchandise items. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the photo merchandise display unit comprises at least one photo merchandise item and a transparent encasement with an electronic locking mechanism controlled by the processor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one photo merchandise item is stored in a transparent encasement with an electronic vending mechanism controlled by the processor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processor instructs the user via the user interface when to open and close the doors photo merchandise unit and verifies the door position and lock status after the photo merchandise item has been retrieved. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a camera controlled by the processor is used to monitor the at least one photo merchandize item stored and presented in the display unit of the photo kiosk. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the processor uses the camera and a counting algorithm to maintain an inventory of photo merchandise items. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 mounting the camera within the photo merchandise display unit and providing a wide-angle view of the inventory of display photo merchandise.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transmitting the view provided by the camera to a remote location via the processor and communication device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 using the processor to inform the user or operator, via the user interface and communication device, if a photo merchandise item has been removed without the payment.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 using the processor to inform the user or operator, via the communication device and user interface, if the inventory of one or more photo merchandise items presented and stored in the display unit has reached a predetermined threshold and/or is out of stock.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the processor determines that a user selected photo merchandise item is either out of stock or if an insufficient number of photo merchandise items are in inventory to satisfy the user's selection, using the user interface and communication device to suggest to the user an alternative photo merchandise item, an alternative retail location, or home delivery of the photo merchandise item. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 using the processor to calculate and estimate when at least one photo merchandise item will be out of stock based on previous usage patterns.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor maintains an inventory of print media loaded in the one or more printers and informs the operator, via the communication device and user interface, if the amount of media remaining in the one or more printers reaches a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the processor calculates and estimates when the print media will be exhausted based on previous usage patterns. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein access to the photo kiosk, the user interface, and available photo products is provided via an application, internet browser, internet address, and/or direct wired or wireless connection. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment mechanism includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) device, card reader, and/or currency acceptor. 
     
     
         23 . A tool for managing photo kiosk systems comprising:
 a proximity control system identifying a location of a retail clerk by geo-location, proximity, geofencing, or Wi-Fi and controls access to the photo kiosk systems, notifications generated by the tool, and monitors staffing of the photo kiosk system including working, available, and unavailable retail clerks;   an error condition reporting system identifying an error of the photo kiosk system, recording an identity of the retail clerk responding to the error condition, providing intervention instructions by an interactive multiple-choice question set, and intervention escalation comprising contacting helplines, scheduling a service engineer, documenting conditions of the photo kiosk system, and exchanging malfunction or damaged equipment;   an unretrieved order monitoring system identifying orders that have not been picked up within a threshold time limit where the threshold time limit varies depending on a number of active users, instructing the retail clerk to contact the customer by a customer's contact information or by a public address system or to destroy the unretrieved order;   a shutdown system providing the retail clerk with instructions on how and when to shutdown the photo kiosk system, a countdown timer for shutting down the photo kiosk where the countdown timer is based on retail hours and in-process orders;   an interactive floor plan map providing a map of the retail space with a layout of photo equipment comprising printers, printer arrays, user terminals, master displays, and finishing devices and graphical annotations indicating a status of the photo equipment;   an event documentation system recording occurrences and images of failure conditions in the photo equipment;   an augmented reality system providing guidance to the retail clerk in training on, repairing, and troubleshooting the photo equipment   an upsell reminder and tracking system providing suggestions to the retail clerk for other products the customer can purchase, incentives for successful occurrences including recognition or monetary awards, and tools and training to improve upsell performance and efficiency;   an autonomous or human operator backed chat box providing text and photo messaging to technical support, repair scheduling, media and supply ordering, and remotely produced product tracking;   a quality check function verifying proper calibration of the photo equipment by uploading test target prints and recalibrating the photo equipment if not properly calibrated;   a validation system providing bar or QR codes for accessing the photo kiosk system identifying the retail clerk accessing the photo kiosk system and placing the photo kiosk system into a setup, configuration, service, or maintenance mode; and   a personal shopper coordination system providing two way communication with an in-house or third-party personal shopper, providing a countdown to the retail with an estimated time to complete the photo order, reordering a queue of the photo kiosk system to accommodate perishable goods of a personal shopper order, notifying the personal shopper of long queue times or delays for the photo order; and notifying the retail clerk when a customer or personal shopper has arrived to the retail location to deliver the photo order.